Grants Pass, OR – The preliminary results for the Josephine County Commissioner races, released on May 21, 2024, provide a snapshot of the political dynamics and voter preferences in the county. These results, though unofficial, highlight key trends and potential shifts in local governance.
Position 2: Chris Barnett Leads
In the race for County Commissioner, Position 2, Chris Barnett has emerged as the frontrunner, securing 44.74% of the vote. Barnett’s lead, while not an outright majority, positions him significantly ahead of his competitors, reflecting strong voter support for his platform and vision for the county.
Colene Martin finished closely behind Barnett with 24.66% of the vote. Martin’s second-place finish underscores a competitive race and suggests that her campaign had a substantial impact on the electorate, even if it did not secure the top spot.
Mark F. Jones garnered 17.52% of the votes, placing him in a Third. Jones’ performance indicates a notable but limited backing among the electorate, suggesting that while his message resonated with a segment of voters, it did not gain widespread traction.
Dan Mancuso received 12.82% of the vote, reflecting a smaller, yet significant portion of the electorate that supported his candidacy. Mancuso’s campaign, while less successful in terms of votes, indicates a presence of diverse political opinions within the county.
Write-in candidates collectively received 0.26% of the vote, showing minimal impact on the overall outcome.
The total votes cast for Position 2 amounted to 19,429, illustrating lower than normal voter engagement in this race.
Position 3: Pat Fahey Takes the Lead
In the contest for County Commissioner, Position 3, Pat Fahey is currently leading with 39.65% of the vote. Fahey’s lead demonstrates a significant level of support, though, similar to Barnett, it does not constitute a majority. This plurality indicates Fahey’s strong appeal to a large segment of the electorate.
Ron Smith follows with 25.86% of the votes. Smith’s second-place finish highlights his considerable support base, although it was not enough to challenge Fahey’s lead.
Nathan Gonzoles secured 22.22% of the vote, positioning him as a competitive candidate within this race. Gonzoles’s performance suggests that a substantial portion of voters resonate with his vision and policy proposals.
Russell McAlmond received 11.97% of the vote, reflecting a smaller yet meaningful share of voter support. McAlmond’s campaign contributed to the diversity of choices available to the electorate.
Write-in candidates accounted for 0.31% of the vote, which had a negligible impact on the race outcome.
The total votes cast for Position 3 were 19,354, indicating additional low level of voter participation comparable to the Position 2 race.
Implications and Next Steps
The preliminary results for the County Commissioner races reveal a competitive political landscape in Josephine County, with no candidate achieving an outright majority in either race. This scenario suggests the potential for continued campaigning and engagement from the leading candidates as they seek to consolidate and expand their support bases.
The results also highlight the presence of a politically engaged electorate, with just nearly 20,000 votes cast in each race. This low level of participation reflects the community’s reluctances in the county’s future direction and governance.
As the county awaits the final certified results, candidates and their supporters will likely analyze these preliminary outcomes to strategize for potential runoff elections or further political actions. The community’s active involvement in these races and future recalls underscores the importance of local governance and the significant impact that county commissioners have on local policies and initiatives.
The preliminary results for Josephine County Commissioner positions indicate strong leads for Chris Barnett and Pat Fahey, with competitive showings from other candidates. These outcomes set the stage for a dynamic political environment as the county moves forward.
